What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director for Donor Relations position at Inside Higher Ed?
Supervisor: Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Status: FT
Hours: 8:30AM-5:00PM, occasional nights and weekends
Job Location: Hybrid
Exempt (Yes/No): Yes
Job Summary
The Associate Director of Donor Relations plays a vital role in fostering lasting relationships between the university and its donors by delivering meaningful engagement, recognition, and stewardship programs. Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, this position develops and manages creative, personalized donor experiences and communications that demonstrate impact and appreciation, with a special focus on major and principal gift donors. The Associate Director will serve as an integral member of the Advancement team, collaborating closely with development officers, college leadership, and university partners to advance philanthropic support.
Essential Job Functions
Donor Stewardship (75%)
Design and execute customized stewardship plans for major, principal, and planned gift donors.
Lead the production of high-quality impact reports, acknowledgment letters, and personalized updates to convey the significance of donors’ contributions.
Collaborate with financial and academic partners to track the use of endowed, restricted funds and current use/spendable funds and ensure proper reporting.
Oversee recognition of donors through events, awards, and other engagement opportunities both in person and virtual (stewardship receptions, scholarship recipient events, giving society events, etc.).
Develop communication plans to keep donors informed and engaged between events and activities.
Serve as a liaison with Marketing and Communications to develop donor-centric materials in print and digital formats.
Identify opportunities to connect donors and volunteers with students, faculty, and university leadership.
Other Responsibilities
Supervisory responsibilities (5%)
Oversight on communications and continent engagementStrategic Collaboration (5%)
Participate in strategic discussions regarding donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Support broader Advancement team initiatives and campaign activities.Administrative Support and Data Management (5%)
Maintain accurate records of engagement activities, volunteer participation, and event attendance using the university’s CRM.
Assist with communications, including newsletters, event promotions, and stewardship touchpoints.
Prepare reports and presentations to track engagement efforts and assess program impact.Other Duties (5%)
Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned to meet departmental and university goals.
Attend trainings as required.
Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, alumni relations, or a related field.
Demonstrated understanding of philanthropy and best practices in donor engagement, particularly in higher education or non-profit settings.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with a high attention to detail.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
High-level experience in print and digital design, with a proven ability to create visually compelling impact reports, stewardship materials, and event collateral using platforms such as Canva, Adobe InDesign, or similar design tools.
Experience with donor database systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and social media platforms.
Knowledge of stewardship for major capital campaigns.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating initiative and strong problem-solving skills.
Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends, as required for events and meetings.
Valid U.S. driver’s license.
Must successfully pass the online safe Driving Course (within 15 days of hire) and driving record check at time of hire and annually thereafter.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the University community including students, faculty, staff, and administrators
Ability to adhere to University policies and procedures.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and within FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
All new employees must complete the FERPA, Anti-Harassment, and any other required online trainings within 15 days of employment.
General knowledge of the University’s mission, purpose and goals and the role this position plays in achieving those goals.
Status: FT
Hours: 8:30AM-5:00PM, occasional nights and weekends
Job Location: Hybrid
Exempt (Yes/No): Yes
Job Summary
The Associate Director of Donor Relations plays a vital role in fostering lasting relationships between the university and its donors by delivering meaningful engagement, recognition, and stewardship programs. Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, this position develops and manages creative, personalized donor experiences and communications that demonstrate impact and appreciation, with a special focus on major and principal gift donors. The Associate Director will serve as an integral member of the Advancement team, collaborating closely with development officers, college leadership, and university partners to advance philanthropic support.
Essential Job Functions
Donor Stewardship (75%)
Design and execute customized stewardship plans for major, principal, and planned gift donors.
Lead the production of high-quality impact reports, acknowledgment letters, and personalized updates to convey the significance of donors’ contributions.
Collaborate with financial and academic partners to track the use of endowed, restricted funds and current use/spendable funds and ensure proper reporting.
Oversee recognition of donors through events, awards, and other engagement opportunities both in person and virtual (stewardship receptions, scholarship recipient events, giving society events, etc.).
Develop communication plans to keep donors informed and engaged between events and activities.
Serve as a liaison with Marketing and Communications to develop donor-centric materials in print and digital formats.
Identify opportunities to connect donors and volunteers with students, faculty, and university leadership.
Other Responsibilities
Supervisory responsibilities (5%)
Oversight on communications and continent engagementStrategic Collaboration (5%)
Participate in strategic discussions regarding donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Support broader Advancement team initiatives and campaign activities.Administrative Support and Data Management (5%)
Maintain accurate records of engagement activities, volunteer participation, and event attendance using the university’s CRM.
Assist with communications, including newsletters, event promotions, and stewardship touchpoints.
Prepare reports and presentations to track engagement efforts and assess program impact.Other Duties (5%)
Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned to meet departmental and university goals.
Attend trainings as required.
Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, alumni relations, or a related field.
Demonstrated understanding of philanthropy and best practices in donor engagement, particularly in higher education or non-profit settings.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with a high attention to detail.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
High-level experience in print and digital design, with a proven ability to create visually compelling impact reports, stewardship materials, and event collateral using platforms such as Canva, Adobe InDesign, or similar design tools.
Experience with donor database systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and social media platforms.
Knowledge of stewardship for major capital campaigns.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating initiative and strong problem-solving skills.
Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends, as required for events and meetings.
Valid U.S. driver’s license.
Must successfully pass the online safe Driving Course (within 15 days of hire) and driving record check at time of hire and annually thereafter.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the University community including students, faculty, staff, and administrators
Ability to adhere to University policies and procedures.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and within FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
All new employees must complete the FERPA, Anti-Harassment, and any other required online trainings within 15 days of employment.
General knowledge of the University’s mission, purpose and goals and the role this position plays in achieving those goals.